Vice President Names Biak Numfor’s Fishermen as Indonesian Heroes

Biak Numfor, wapresri.go.id – After inaugurating the Integrated Business Service Center for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Cooperatives (PLUT KUMKM) of Biak Numfor Regency, Vice President (VP) K. H. Ma’ruf Amin visited Pelindo Port, Biak Numfor Regency to witness the release of tuna fish exports while greeting the fishermen. On this occasion, the VP expressed his appreciation for the fishermen who have contributed to advancing the country’s maritime industry.

“You are all Indonesian heroes,” said the VP when visiting Pelindo Port, Jalan Wolter Monginsidi Fanoi, Biak District, Biak Numfor Regency, Papua, to hand over fishing boat aid and witness the release of tuna exports, Friday (02/12/2022).

“Fellow fishermen, are you all well?” greeted the VP to the fishermen who were greeted with excited responses and applause from the fishermen.

Furthermore, the VP said that he was proud of the quality of fish in the country which not only has the quality of the domestic market share, but also reaches the international market.

“The results are not only consumed domestically, but also exported, some to America, some to Japan,” stated the VP.

On the same occasion, the VP also handed over 45 units of ship procurement assistance through the Special Allocation Fund (DAK) in the field of marine and fisheries, boats, outboard motors, coolboxes and other supporting equipment to representatives of two Joint Business Groups (KUB), namely KUB Tunas New and KUB Orisyun.

“With the assistance provided, use accordingly to increase family income, regional income, and state income,” the VP hoped.

“Thank you for your dedication and happy working,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, the Director General of Capture Fisheries at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) M. Zaini Hanafi reported that the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries is working on procuring a cooling machine to be able to support the export of fish products from fishermen in Biak Numfor.

“We are currently preparing a company that is currently building bigger cold storage. Inshaa Allah, next year we can operate even better so that all loins [can be made] in Biak directly to America,” explained Hanif.

On this occasion, the VP also witnessed the release of tuna exports to Japan. There are 225 tuna to be exported, with details of 30 percent big eye tuna and 70 percent yellowfin tuna. Based on this amount, only 30 percent or 1.4 tons were exported. This is because the distribution of fresh fish requires special handling, so fresh fish will be exported to Japan and frozen fish will be exported to America.

Present at the activity were the Minister of Administrative Reform and Bureaucratic Reform (PAN RB) Abdullah Azwar Anas, the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, and the Regent of Biak Numfor Herry Ario Naap.

While the VP was accompanied by the Head of the Vice President’s Secretariat Ahmad Erani Yustika, Special Staff of the VP for Information and Communication Masduki Baidlowi, Special Staff of the VP for Poverty Reduction and Regional Autonomy Muhammad Imam Aziz, Special Staff of the VP for Politics and Institutional Relations Robikin Emhas, and the Expert Team for the VP Nurdin Tampubolon and Johan Tedja Surya. (NN/LHS – BPMI Setwapres)